Parkinsons
The progressive degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in this brain structure leads to the motor symptoms seen in Parkinson’s disease, including tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia.
Substantia nigra
The nurse monitors this therapeutic serum concentration range to ensure effectiveness and prevent toxicity when administering phenytoin.
10-29 mcg/mL
This neurotransmitter’s inhibitory effects are enhanced by benzodiazepines, producing sedation, anxiolysis, and anticonvulsant effects.
GABA
A patient taking an SSRI reports agitation, fever, sweating, tremor, and confusion after starting a new medication. The nurse recognizes these symptoms as this potentially life-threatening condition.
Serotonin syndrome
What sulfonamide is normally prescribed for UTIs?
Cortrimoxazole
These Parkinson’s medications reduce tremor and rigidity by blocking acetylcholine activity but are generally avoided in older adults due to confusion, urinary retention, and other anticholinergic effects.
Anticholinergic agents
This anticonvulsant is commonly considered a first-line medication for the treatment of partial (focal) seizures.
Carbamzepine
Because many anxiolytic–hypnotic drugs cause CNS depression, the nurse should instruct patients to avoid this common substance that can greatly increase the risk of respiratory depression.
What should you evaluate for with a patient taking Fluoxetine
relief of signs and symptoms of depression, monitor for AE (respiratory dysfunction, GU problems, decreased libido.), monitor for drug-drug interactions, evaluate effectiveness of patient teaching and comfort and safety measures
Take it on an empty stomach to ensure adequate absorption
Levodopa is frequently combined with this peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor in a fixed-dose formulation to prevent dopamine breakdown outside the brain and increase drug availability in the CNS.
Carbidopa
This class of medications works by enhancing the inhibitory effects of GABA in the CNS and is frequently used for acute seizure control.
Benzodiazepines
What labs should the nurse get before starting benzodiazepines and while on the medication?
Liver tests
Patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors must avoid foods high in tyramine because consumption can lead to
a hypertensive crisis
What are the side effects of cephalosporins?
CNS: headache, dizziness, lethargy, and paresthesia and nephrotoxicity
This antiparkinson medication works by increasing dopamine release and blocking dopamine reuptake in the brain, and it may also provide antiviral effects.
Amantadine
When administering phenytoin to pediatric patients, the nurse monitors for this adverse effect characterized by excessive gum tissue growth.
gingival hyperplasia
What newer anti-anxiety medication has minimal sedative effects and does not cause significant physical dependence?
Buspirone
What should be causes for depression should be ruled out before therapy begins?
What are the indications for fluoroquinolones?
gram positive and gram negative bacteria, E.Coli, and postexposure of anthrax infection. The bacteria frequently cause UTI, respiratory tract and skin infection
Because levodopa commonly causes nausea and vomiting when therapy begins, this antiemetic is often started at the same time to improve patient tolerance.
trimethobenzamide
Because many antiepileptic drugs affect liver metabolism, the nurse should monitor this laboratory value to assess for potential hepatotoxicity during therapy.
Liver function tests
What system do hypnotics effect and what do they do to that system?
Reticular activating system (RAS) and it blocks the brain's response to incoming stimuli
Combining SSRIs with this class of antidepressants greatly increases the risk for serotonin syndrome and requires a washout period between therapies.
MAOIs
seizures